History

Weston-super-Mare RFC was formed in 1875 following a simple announcement in the local newspaper, The Weston Mercury, which read: "Football Club. An effort is being made to establish a Club for the promotion of this healthy exercise during the winter months, the game is promising to meet with considerable success. The Hon Secretary Dr Julius Wilmot."

Early matches were played on what is now a Supermarket car park. The move to the present ground was made in 1880. The Club was ambitious even then and a floodlit match was arranged against Clifton. This was a rather unsuccessful experiment put on as an advertising stunt to popularise a new edition to the public service - Lighting by Electricity. The spluttering arc lamps were not a great success which was a disappointment for the 4,000 spectators who had turned up to watch.

Many players arrived in the town from Wales in the Depression looking for work and the Club was able to boost its playing strength. For a time the Club was regarded as one of the best in the country, playing sides like Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol and Bath and others where a Weston victory was not uncommon. Several players from the Club have played for England, Wales, the Barbarians and British Lions over the years. Weston's first International player was in 1882 and the last, Nigel Redman, in 1984.

With the coming of professionalism, the Club opted to retain amateur status thereby avoiding the inevitable crippling costs that led some other clubs into receivership.

Today the 1st team is playing in the South West 1. Recent successes include the 1st XV retaining the Somerset Cup 3 years running from 2001 to 2004. The club have now won the cup 7 times, most recently in 2009-10 and have been runners ups 5 times.

The Colts have been the most successful in the County with countless Somerset Cup wins and progressing to the latter stages of the National Colts Cup, most recently with a final at Franklins Gardens, home of Northampton.

The success of the Colts over the last few years has been a boost to the Club. Many ex-Colts players have taken up their place in the first and second team squads, playing with the same sort of passion that has endured over the 130 years of the Club's existence.

Where next?

History 2
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The junior section continues to thrive with over 200 players from U7 to U17 at the club each Sunday.